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Liverpool really did not have to get out of second gear as they managed an easy 3-0 win over Mark Hughes’ Southampton over the weekend- the scoreline a repeat of their win from last season.

The Reds tried out a 4-2-3-1 formation at the beginning of the game to accommodate Xherdan Shaqiri, but reverted back to the 4-3-3 that Klopp has generally favoured after the Swiss international’s withdrawal at half time.

The win also means that LFC are the only team in the league with a 100% record following Chelsea’s goalless stalemate at the London Stadium against Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham.

That Liverpool didn’t really hit their stride, but were also not posed any real problems, is shown in their ratings, with most players earning a 7 for their efforts at Anfield. Southampton took 90 minutes to register their first shot on target, and that was easily saved by Alisson.

Most of the papers, bar the Echo, thought that Virgil van Dijk was the best LFC backline player on show. They also agreed that Xherdan Shaqiri had an impressive full debut.

This was a relatively easy fixture in a tough schedule for the Reds- this Saints clash was preceded by their Champions League clash against PSG, and will be followed by back to back games against Chelsea (Cup & League) and a trip to Italy to take on Napoli. Continue reading →

Liverpool made it six wins in as many games as they brushed aside the challenge of Mark Hughes’ Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. For Saints, it was effectively a repeat of last season’s game, having lost 3-0 in 2017/18 as well. LFC had the game wrapped up by half time, and didn’t even have to get out of second gear- this was a pretty easy win for them despite Southampton’s best efforts.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp handed Joel Matip and Xherdan Shaqiri their first league starts of the season and opted for a change in formation to 4-2-3-1. This saw Henderson and Wijnaldum in midfield, Salah as the sole striker upfront, Shaqiri effectively employed as a No.10, with Roberto Firmino on the left and Sadio Mane on the right.

Liverpool are on a bit of a roll, having won their opening five league games of the new season and seeing off the challenge French giants Paris Saint-Germain in their first CL group game in midweek. Beating Southampton this weekend will see the Reds win their sixth straight Premier League game, a feat that has only previously been managed in the top flight by Newcastle, Man City and Chelsea.

Liverpool won the corresponding fixture between these two sides 3-0 last season thanks to a brace from Mo Salah and a second half strike from Philippe Coutinho.

Can Liverpool make it 6 wins out of 6 against Saints? Here is what the pundits have predicted for this clash.

Mark Lawrenson: Lawro has gone for a repeat of last season’s scoreline, predicting that Liverpool will beat Saints by three unanswered goals. Lawro’s celeb opponent for the weekend, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, like him, has gone for a 3-0 win to the Reds

Paul Merson: Sky pundit Merson also reckons that Liverpool will be too strong for Southampton, and has also gone for a 3-0 scoreline in favour of the home side. Continue reading →

Liverpool face Leicester at the King Power Stadium this weekend in MD 4, a tricky test for Jurgen Klopp’s table toppers. Despite losing to Manchester United on the opening day of the season, Claude Puel’s Leicester bounced back with wins over Wolves and Southampton- victories that one might say to be a tad lucky given how well their opponents played. Nevertheless, with six points from 3 games, Leicester are 7th in the table going into Round 4.

Here is what the pundits say for Leicester vs Liverpool

Mark Lawrenson: Lawro reckons Liverpool will drop points this weekend and says this will end in a 1-1 draw. His celebrity opponent for this round, radio host Greg James, however thinks Liverpool will continue their 100% record and will win 2-0 at the King Power. Continue reading →

After having been given a relatively easy draw last season (Sevilla, Spartak and Maribor), Liverpool have been placed in a virtual Group of Death for the 2018/19 Champions League group stages. The Reds have been drawn alongside PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade in Group C.

Benfica’s win over PAOK last night pushed Liverpool to Pot 3- they would’ve been in Pot 2 and potentially got an easier draw if the Greek side had triumphed.

Red Star, former European champions, are taking part in the group stages of the modern Champions League for the first time in their history.

Liverpool’s last European games against Red Star and PSG were back in 1973 and 1997 respectively, while they last did battle against Napoli back in 2010 in the Europa League. Continue reading →

The draw for the group stages of the Champions League will be made later this week. Depending on the result of the PAOK Benfica playoff tie on Wednesday night, Liverpool will either be in Pot 2 or Pot 3 for the draw. If the Greek side win, which seems a real possibility given their record at home and the away goal they have, the Reds will go into Pot 2 (which already has two Premier League sides in it in the form of Man Utd and Tottenham). If the Portuguese giants win, LFC will be in Pot 3. Continue reading →